BUSINESSES were evacuated when a lorry loaded with curry paste burst into flames just a couple of metres from their offices.

The trailer containing 800kg of korma powder was engulfed as the driver detached the cab unit on River Lane, Saltney.

Firefighters who arrived to find the trailer well ablaze were covered in curry residue.

Ron Harris, from Saltney, was in the Co-op store when the fire took hold. He said: 'It was quite a spectacle.

'There was nothing when I went in but I came out and saw a big pall of smoke so we dashed off down the road. It was really burning.'

The Ireland-bound load, which also included tomato pesto sauce, napkins and cups, caught light just after 10am on Wednesday.

J Freight managing director Steven Jackson said: 'The first thing the driver knew about it, the curtains were hot with smoke coming into the trailer.

'Weshrink-wrapthepallets and perhaps it was the static. There was nothing wrong with the vehicle.'

The driver detached the cab to avoid further damage but goods worth #15,000 were lost, along with the #30,000 trailer.

Fire crews were worried about the effect the korma might have on the river and contained the water until the Environment Agency arrived.

Eventually, a JCB pushed the load off the trailer and crews extinguished the flames. Deeside Fire Station manager Jim McGrane said: 'There was a very strong smell of curry. I admire the driver's actions -he saved it from being worse.'